Part 49 (1/2)
”No.” Madge blushed prettily. ”Still, he's admitted something; you see, we are friends. Besides, he's a smart officer; they wouldn't waste a man like him on taking soundings. That would be quite absurd.”
Elsie's smile was sympathetic, for she thought she understood her friend's belief in Rankine's talents.
”He's here on guard in the west,” Madge went on; ”Andrew's there, about half way between him and Annan; and now we have a German sailor, who speaks English and has a boat-compa.s.s, at the head of the Solway Firth.”
Elsie made an abrupt movement, for Madge had found the missing link and the chain was complete. Men were working night and day at armaments and wars.h.i.+ps on the Clyde. Her face was troubled, but her lips set firm, for she began to see that she could no longer keep her secret. The time when she must act had come.
”I think you have guessed right,” she said after a moment or two.
”Then you understand that we have some responsibility.”
”I don't see yours.”
The color crept into Madge's face.
”Oh, well! For one thing, my brother's with Andrew.” Then she put her arm impulsively round Elsie's waist. ”We've got to see this through, dear.”
Elsie's reserve gave way.
”Yes,” she answered steadily; ”we must. The man you met has been at Appleyard when they thought we were all asleep--and I'm afraid he'll be here again.”
Madge showed no surprise.
”I know how you're fixed. But think! Andrew and Jim may be in danger.
We can't let them get hurt.”
”That's impossible! But what must we do?”
”Watch for the German sailor, first of all,” Madge advised. ”Try to find out what he has come for, and spoil the plot. I'm glad you gave me the room next to yours. I can reach you by that inner door, if it's necessary.” She leaned forward and kissed Elsie. ”Now you must go to bed, dear. You look anxious and tired.”
CHAPTER XXVIII
A WILD RIDE
Elsie went to sleep at last, but her rest was broken and once or twice she awoke with a start. She was uneasy and highly strung, but she heard nothing unusual. The wind moaned about the house and the splash of the little burn rose from the glen. Staffer had gone out before dinner and as he had not come back when she went to bed, she did not think any stranger would visit Appleyard. Telling herself that she must not indulge in nerves, she went to sleep again. Some time later, when lying half awake, she heard a soft rattle; and her heart beat fast, for she knew that the handle of her door was being gently turned. She was glad that she had locked it, though this was the first time she had ever done so.
The sound stopped, a board in the pa.s.sage creaked, and as the shock of alarm began to pa.s.s, Elsie guessed that it was Staffer trying to make sure that she was in her room. This implied that he was going downstairs to meet some one; but she waited until she got calmer, wondering if, after all, she had been mistaken. Staffer could not have returned until late, and it was strange he had allowed his visitor to risk coming to the house when he might be out. She tried to believe he had not done so; but when she heard a faint tap on the other door, which opened into Madge's room, there was no longer any doubt.
Nerving herself for a painful effort, she got up and hastily put on some clothes. Then she went into the other room and saw Madge's shadowy figure standing by the window.
”You heard it?” Madge whispered. ”Somebody's gone down. Do you know who it is?”
”Yes. . . . It is my uncle.”
Madge put out her hand in the darkness and squeezed Elsie's cold little fingers sympathetically.
”You have to choose between him and Andrew, dear,” she said.
”Yes,” Elsie agreed in a strange, toneless way.